EP - Situation in Cuba

Commission statement on the situation in Cuba
Debate: 15.11.2004

The Commission will make a statement on the situation in Cuba. The EU imposed diplomatic sanctions on Cuba last year after a crackdown on political dissidents on the island. But the Spanish government argues increased dialogue with Fidel CASTRO would be a more effective way to promote an improvement in human rights. Its call for a softer approach has provoked a political row in Spain. The dispute was heightened by the expulsion from Cuba on Saturday of a Spanish opposition politician who had flown in to meet dissident leaders.

EU relations with Cuba are governed by the Common Position, as approved by the Council of Ministers in 1996. It has been lastly confirmed in June 2004. On the basis of its Common Position, the EU favours a constructive engagement with Cuba. It gives priority to a constructive dialogue with the Cuban authorities and civil society. Its objective is to encourage a process of peaceful transition towards a pluralist democracy, the promotion of the respect for human rights and other fundamental freedoms, as well as to improve the living conditions of the Cuban people.

On the 8th of February 2000, in the final negotiation round of the new ACP-EU Co-operation Agreement, the Council Secretariat received from the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs a request to become part to the Lomé Convention by means of signing the new Agreement. This decision evolved from the observer status acquired for the country in June 1998. The request had received the support of the ACP Council of Ministers and the ACP-EU Joint Assembly. On 26th April 2000, Cuba withdrew its application to join the new Convention.

In January 2003, Cuba submitted a new request for accession to Cotonou. On 30 April, the Commission decided to defer the examination of the application for membership of Cuba to the Cotonou Agreement as a result of the crackdown on dissidents by the authorities of the country carried out in March and April 2003. The Cuban authorities have subsequently decided to withdraw their application.

The Cuban authorities announced on 26 July 2003 their refusal of all direct aid coming from the European Union. The EU has deplored the Cuban authorities' decision to reject EU aid, and recalled the Union's willingness and permanent commitment to provide aid to help the Cuban people. There is an EC Delegation in Cuba that works under the responsibility of the EC Delegation in Dominican Republic.

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